Apparatus for treating fish, &amp;c.



- A. 0. PEARSON.

' APPARATUS FOR TREATING FISH, 6w.

Patented 001;. 19, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

| lllll A. O. PEARSON.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FISH, (5w.

APPLICATION FILED NOVA), 1907.

Patented 0011.19, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

'A. c. PEARSON. APPARATUS FOR TREATING FISH, 6w.

' APPLIGATION FILED NOV. 9, 1907. 937,172.

Patented Oct.- 19, 1909.

' 'A. G. PEARSON.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FISH,- 6w.

APPLICATION rmm nov. 9,1001,

937,172; g Patented 001;. 19,1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. G. PEARSON.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING FISH, fie. v APPLIOATIOR- FILED 1mm, 1901. 937,172, Patented Oct; 19, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Zgzfiwtrms I h g Amrnqy UNITED srATns PATENT OFFICE.

AUBER CRAWTE Pn'linson, or LEE, ENGLAND.

menus ron rnnarmerisn, ac.

To all iuho m it maycomem: a i

Beit known that I, Aunnu CRAWTE PEAR- soN, a subject of the Kingof Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Lee,in the-county of Kent, England, have invented Improvements in Apparatus forTreating Fish, &c., of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for the treatment of fish, fish offal and the like (hereinafter referred to as fish) and has for its objectto provide an improved construction and combination of parts by which the fish is cooked or digested by steam, drained, pressed and dried in a more or less continuous manner as hereinafter described and as is claimed in the appended claiming clauses. The invention may be carried into "effect in several ways some of which will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereof- Figures 1 and l 'show in a side elevation mainly in section and with portions removed, one form of apparatus,'Fig. 2 being a cross section of the same taken on the line A A of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 3 show in longitudinal vertical section, Fig. 4 in end view,

and Fig. 5 in part plan, a modification of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 1. Figs. 6 and 7 show respectively in longitudinal section and cross section, a modified con-' 1 structi'on. Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are detail viewshereinafterreferred to; "As shown in Figs. 1., 1 and 2, a cooking vessel in the form of a metal drum or tube a (hereinafter called the' perforated tube) is employed, which may be arranged with its axis slightly inclined to the horizontal, that is to say, downwardly in the direction of the arrow m, and provided with perforations a communicating with a space a between the outer surface of the said perforated tube a and the inner surface of an outer inclosing drum or tube 7). Disposed within the perforated tube a and concentrically therewith, is a stationary steam supply pipe 0 from which extend a plurality of branch pipes 0 preferably inclined to the vertical as shown in Fig. 2, so that jets of steam can be caused to continuously impinge upon, break up and thoroughly cook and sterilize the material under treatment,- which may conveniently.

with a feed hopper e the discharge outlet minutes.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented Oct, 19,1909, Application filed November 9, 1907. Serial No. 401,422.

a of the said casing being likewise concentric or co-axial with the perforated tube a. Secured within the perforated tube a is a spiral .conveyer or conveyer blade f which extends to the inner circumferential wall thereof butprovides an inner longitudinal passage. The arrangement is such that by rotating the inner and outer tubes 0, b, the material introduced at the end adjacent to the feed hopper e gradually proceeds to the other end by the action of the conveyer or conveyer blade f and in so doing is subjected to the action of the steam jets issuing from the branch pipes 0 the material being dragged around circumferentially for a cerso that they are wider in the direction of the axis of the pipe 0 than in a plane at rightangles thereto, as shown. Th steam used may advantageously be snpplie to the pipe 0 at a pressure of about forty pounds to the square inch, and be superheated.

\Vith apparatus such as described, good results can be obtained by subjecting fish, fish offal and like material while being fed through the inner tube a, to the action of such superheated steam for about twenty The oil, condensed steam and other liquid constituents which escape through the perforations (1. of the inner tube a are discharged through openings 9 in the outer tube 7) into a convenient container passes through the. tube a erforated tube a, and then the inner tube a may vary in size from the inlet end, where they may for instance be about one quarter of an inch in diameter, to the outlet end where they may be about one eighth of an inch in diameter.

In order to prevent steam escaping from such of the openings g as are, for the time being, out of register with the inlet to the steam trap, such openings 9 are arranged to extend through a ring 9 (Figs. 8 and 9) v might be discharged directly into a pit,*preferably through a chamber II}, as shown, for subsequent treatment by any ordinary means or apparatus, in which case it will suffice to 'provide the "exterior of the outer drum or tube 6 with circular races or tracks b by means of which it can be supported to revolve upon rollers 2' carried for instance by a longitudinally arranged shaft 5 driven by gearing, such as bevel wheels 5 from aprime mover, frictional contact between the rollers'and drum races being relied on to secure the requisite rotation of-the drum, 2" being guide rollers arranged to engage the races or tracks 6 at opposite sides of the drum 6.

In order to prevent the escape of vapors.

which may be generated in the drum a, a stufling box 7' may be fitted to or arranged at the end a of the apparatus through which the, outlet end 6 of the stationary casing e leading from the feed hopper 0 extends. The opposite end of the outer drum or tube 6 is arranged to extend in a more or less fluid tight manner through the front wall of the stationary chamber h. In this case, the chamber h is provided with a normally closed inspection opening or manhole 71. The worm conveyer a! in the casing e of the feed hopper 6 may conveniently be formed upon a sleeve d which'passes through a hearing or stuffing box carried by the casing e and is driven by' chain and sprocket gear k or the like from the longitudinal driving shaft i. The steam supply pipe 0, which is suitably fixed, can thus pass through the conveyer sleeve d without affecting theoperation of the conveyer d.

The perforated tube a with the steam supply pipe c and conveyer f therein, is arranged to be readily withdrawn from the rotaryouter drum or tube 6 to admit of its being cleaned when necessary and afterward replaced. For this purpose it may conveniently be secured to the outer drum or tube 6 at one end only, as by a flange or equivalent joint at The inner tube a may conveniently be made in lengths connected together by flanged joints a by means of which and longitudinalangle bars a", each notched where necessary as at a to allow of passage of oil, grease. and other matter, it 1s maintained concentrically within the outer drum or tube b which may also be made in lengths connected together by flanged joints 6". The inner tube a may conveniently be made in two semi-cylindrical portions that. arereadily detachable the one fromthe other to facilitate cleaning of the interior thereof.

'In this case the conveyer 7 may be attached made readily detachable from the remainder of the apparatus.

As an object of the invention is to produce a compact machine occupying but little floor space, in lieu .of discharging the residues into a pit, as hereinbefore described, to be further treated, it is preferred to transfer the cooked material, as hereinafter described, into an inclosing drum of considerably larger diameter constituting a drying chamber, the several drums forming a single structure adaptedto be revolved in the same or a similar manner to that just above described, although it' is preferred to drive the same positively. Such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 3 to 5 of the drawings, where the perforated drum a and unperforated drum 1) are inclosed by a drum m adapted to be driven by a worm m engaging an annular worm wheel m upon the outer circumference of the drying chamber m. An inlet a for hot air is provided at the end of the drying chamber remote from the end where the feeding of the material to the perforated tube a takes place and is located preferably at the upper part thereof. The other end of the drum is open at n for the escape of the dried material and hot air and vapor driven off from the material. The ends of the drying drum m are mounted to rotate in stationary casings n in one of which is the inlet n and the other of which forms a. chamber into which the dried material, air and vapor are discharged. If desired, the drum or tube 6 which surrounds the perforated tube a and, in some cases, may extend beyond the same, may be provided witha steam jacket 0, or it may be a heatingcoil, to maintain the desired temperature. Steam is admitted to the steam acket 0 and water ofcondensation drawn therefrom, through stationary rings 0 and 0 respectively, surrounding perforated rings fixed to the jacket 0. The drying chamber m is also slightly inclined downwardly in the direction of the arrow ac and provided at its inner surface with longitudinally arranged bars or ribs m or the like.

that are adapted to lift the material passing through the chamber and afterward allow it to fall in a known manner, 0 representing one of a plurality of similar ribs external to the jacket 0 for catching and carrying around 'the material falling from the bars in". The

chamber m, rotary outer drum or tube 1) and perforated tube a are suitably connected together, as shown, to revolve as one piece.

The outlets g for drainin liquids from the drum or tube 6 are inten ed to co-act with a stationary masking device g as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1.

As it is an important step in the process of treating the material, that it should be pressed "before being dried, to remove as much oil, water and other liquid constituents as-possible, means are provided for this purpose, which may, for example, comprise three perforated or openwork cylinders p, --;0. 2 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) arranged hOIlZOlltally so that the ends of their axes occupy positions corresponding to the apices of an [equilateral triangle in an appropriate frame.

The normal position of the saidcylinders 11, 1 ,47 which are open ended toward the apparatus, is such that one, -viz. p, is in 'alinement with the perforated tube- (1., another, viz. p, in alinement with the material inlet a to'the drying chamber, and

the third,viz. p", in alinementwith a. sta-' tionary resistance plate or abutment g. The inle may be provided with a grld n (Fig. 10 the outer edges of the bars of which are ormed as knife edges to cut up the material forced past them. The cyl1n-' ders p, p, p are fixed in a frame g that is mounted to rotate in the resistance plate g and a stationary frame g and 1s kept n1 close contact with the resistance plate q, as

' by a screw q".

'The frame 51 is adapted to be revolved "as hereinafter described, so that assuming 'the apparatus to have been started and 111 normal working condition, the cylinder p which is in alinement with the perforated tube a and'which is fitted with a'movable' end plate or follower r, will gradually become filled with material, forcing the follower r in front of it until the same is stop ed at the outer end of the c linder. To facilitate the movement of the ollower 1-, it may be mounted to slide on guide rods r. The frame q isthen turned through an angle of 120 to cause the cylinder 12 to register with the stationary resistance plate or abutment q against which the material is adapted to be pressed by the follower r, f'and thereafter turned through a further angle of 120 causing the cylinder 7) to come into alinem'ent with the inlet n to the drying chamber m so that the contents can -'be forced therein by the follower r, and so The worm wheel s is mounted loose upon,

a hollow spindles carrying the pinion s and is adapted to be connected .to I such spindle s by the clutch s which comprises a transverse. keywhich projects through a: lateral slot in the spindle s and is connected tends into the hollow shaft 8 and is arranged to be acted upon by the cam s. The spindles is arranged to be-pressed outward by a spring s" for causing the clutch liey s to enter a notch-or recess 8 in the ad-- ac'ent end of the boss of the worm wheel 8 and so connect such wheel to the spindle s, and to be ressed inward, against the action of the spring, bythecam s for disengaging the clutch key 8 from the worm wheel 8 and allowing the latter to run loose. The cam s" is fixed to a driving shaft 8 which is constantly driven by worm and spur gearing s and s from the worm wheel .9".

Each cylinder p, p, of the frame q is fitted with an end plate or follower 1' which is free to slide therein on guides as described.

.and which can bencted upon by the power devices for effecting compression and removal of the contents, as previously referred to. Conveniently, the power devlces may comprise a pair of steam or hydraulic rams or pistons and rods 1? located so as to operate simultaneously upon the end plates or followers "2- of the two cylinders p p which are not in alinement with the perforated tube s so that while the material in one cylinder p isbeing compressed, that in the other 7;, which has been previously compressed, is forced into the drying chamber 111., the frame revolving gear being meanwhile. inactive.

While this has been occurring the cylinder phasjbeengradually filling so that as soon as the piston rods zare withdrawn, the gear is thrown into operation automatically by the cum 8 and the frame partially revolved as 'described causing the n'ow'full cylinder p to take the place of the one in which the material has just previously been compressed and to advance thelatter into theposition previously occupied by the cylinder from which the contents were discharge The empty cylinder 72. will then become gradually filled again, the sliding end plate or follower 1' being forced baclz to its initial posltlon by the advancing materlal.

The supply of motive fluld, for instance steam; tothe ram or like cylinders 6 may be eontrolledby the cam 8, there being employed, for example, a divided steam chest 11, shown more particularly m F g. 12, one compartment at of which is incommu'nication with a low pressure steam source and the other uFwith' a high pressure source regulated tosuitthe material under treatment. the former being for supplying steam to the cylinders '29 a for withdrawing the rams or pistons and rods't from the perforated or openwork cylinders p, p, 72 and the latter for advancing the same into the said cylinders; fSuitable inlet and'exhaust ports 'v, 2)

respectively are provided in the said valve chest 11, andcavitiesa in duplicated slide yalves e, which, 'in conjunction with ports 6 to an endwise movable spindle s which ex- 1 or passages 'v leading to the opposite ends of the steam cylinders t serve to effect the required control. In the drawings, the valve 11 in the compartment a of the valve chest is shown as placing the port 0 con'- nected to'the corresponding end of the cylinders t1 in communication with the exhaust port 41 while the valve 11 in the compartment u is covering the exhaust port 5 and admittingsteam to the other end of the said to act gradually upon the end plates or followers 1' of the cylinders 2 p m. the second and third positions, immediately after the cylinders have assumed these positions, and, after completing their forward strokes, will be returned quickly. The material in the perforated tube a is discharged therefrom by the action of the conveyer therein but it is preferred to employ a terminal worm conveyer or screw f Fig. 3) of fine pitch -to facilitate the disc arge. The 7 cylinder frame 9 may be mounted to rotate ina casing (not shown) into which the liquid,

squeezed from the material when the cylin-- der containing it is in the secogld position, falls and from which it can be discharged 1 through a suitable pipe or passage. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the conveyer f is extended into the feed hopper where its pitch is reduced in order to obtain the desired rate of feed of the material being treated. a

The casing 11? in which the front end of the dr ing drum m rotates and which is provided at the bottom with the outlet 11* for the dried material fed into the same from the said drum, is provided also with an air and vapor outlet n, at the' top. The bottom outlet n* may discharge into any desired receptacle, it may be a pit or trough a provided, with a conveyer In some cases, the chamber m may be stationary and the rotary outer drum or tube b'surroundin the perforated tube a be provided externa y with means such as a screw or like conveying device adapted to move the material through the drying chamber and, it may be, to intermittently lift the material during its passage andallow it fall on the said rotary drumb, suitable bear 'ings being provided for carrying the rotary outer drum or tube 1) and attached arts. Figs. 6 and 7 'show an arrangement 0 this kind wherein the rotary inner and outer tubes a and b are surrounded by a stationary provided for the cylcated at the bottom of the corresponding end of the casing and provided with a screw conveyer 6. The outer tube 6 has fixed to it a number of radial arms 7 carrying lon tudinal bars 8 of L-section forming padd es adapted to intermittently lift up and agitate the material fed into the chamber through an opening in the end wall 2 of the casing. 2, it may be by mechanism of the kind hereinbefore described and shown in Figs. 3, 3,

4 and 5, and move the same toward the open end of the chamber and into the receptacle 5. The tube 6 may also be provided externall with longitudinal ribs 9 adapted to catc material dropped on the tube by the rotating bars 8 and carry it partly around the tube. For heating the chamber 1, hot ses are led into the annular space 10 formed b and between the chamber 1, casing 2 an the end and intermediate walls 2 and 2 of the latter, from a lower flue 11, the hot being caused tocirculate'around the c amber 10, preferably in a spiral path by the aid of a spiral partition 10, and to escape through an upper outlet '12 intola pipe 13. This pipe is connected by a pipe 14 to a chimne or uptake 15 and, by a pipe 16, extending through the end wall 2 of. the chamber 1, dampers 17 and '18 being PIOVldQd; for controlling these connections so that the whole of the hot gases can be passed through the pipe 16 into the chagrler 1, or through the pipe '14 direct into partcan be caused to passone way and part the other way. The ca'sin 2 is. provided with outlet pipes 19 for enabling the hot air admittedto the dryin chamber 1, and the gases and vapors evo ved from the material under treatment therein, to pass to the chimney 15. 20 is a normal] closed passage throu h which air can, w en desired, v e caused to enter the chamber 1.

T The details of construction may be variously -modified. For instance, in the apparatus shown in Figs. 3, 3, 4 and 5, screws with connections operated in any known or appropriate way may be used in lieu of linders-and rams or pistons for compressing the material in the cylinders p, p and p and for forci it therefrom. Similarly, the position of t lie inlet to the drying chamber m and of the stationary resistance plate or abutment 9, may be altered with respect to the outlet from the perforated tube a chimney 15, or

' volving therewith,

from what is shown in the drawings without affecting the action of the plant. As before stated, it is preferred to superheat the steam employed for the cooking opera- 5, tionas the water of condensation will thereby be less and the extracted constituent accordingly more concentrated.

In the emplo 'ment of the apparatus for treating fish rei use, it will be found that the oil, together with moisture containing elatinous and other matter, will be effectually washed out of the .fish refuse, producing a resultant liquor which, after separation of the oil-in any known or suit- 1-5 able manner, can, ifrdesired,.- be treated for the recovery of Inc and other substances therefrom in any nown or suitable manner.

What I claim is v -1. In combination, a perforated and revoluble cooking drum mounted to rotate about a longitudinally extending axis and a stationary'steam supply pipe surrounded by said drum and havlng et branches extending laterally downward toward the lower inner surface of the drum, so that the said surface is movable with'respect to jets of steam issuing from said branches.

2. In combination, a perforated cooking drum mounted to rotate about a substantiallyhorizontal axis, a worm conveyer on the mner cylindrical surface of such drum, andv -a stationar steam supply, pipe having jet branches epending into I the lower semicylind-rical portion of said drum.

3. In combination, a perforated cooking drum mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, a worm conveyer secured within. the drum throughout its entire length, and a stationarysteam supply p' pe with jet branches extending within a portion of such drum.

4. In combination, a perforated and revoluble cooking drum mounted to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, a

' 5 steam supply pipe located within said drum,

jet branches depending into the lower semicylindrical portion of the drum, an unperforated drum surrounding the perforated drum, and means for continuously drawing liquid from the unperforated drum.

5. In combination, a perforated and revoluble cookin drum, a steam supply pipelocated in sai drum, an unperforated drum surrounding the perforated drum and reannularly arranged liquid outlets in the nnperforated drum, and a hollow stationary band for masking said outlets and connected to a discharge pipe. I

In combination, a perforated and revoluble cooking drum, a steam supplylpipe located in said drumfan unperforated drum surrounding the perforated drum and arranged to rotate therewith, a feed hopper casing in fluid tight communication with the inlet of the perforated drum, and a suplarly arranged openings in opposite ends of thejacket and stationary rin s in communication with steam supply an exhaust pipes and arranged to mask such of the openings as do not momentarily register with the in- 35 let and exhaust pipes.

.9. In combination, a cooking, element comprising concentrically arranged perforated and unperforated drums arranged to revolve in unison, a steam supply pipe within .the perforated drum, and a chamber for drying the cooked material, surrounding said cookingielement.

.10. In combination, a cooking element comprising concentrically arranged per- 'forated and unperforated drumjs arranged to revolve in unison, a steam supply pipe within the perforated inner drum, and a surrounding chamber into which the material, after cooking, is discharged and caused 100 to t-ravel in a direction opposite to the direction followed in its passage through the cookingelement.

Il 1. In combination, a cooking element comprising concentrically arranged perforated a-nd unperforateddrums arranged to revolve in unison,a steam supplyv pipe Within the perforated inner drum, a drying chamber surrounding said cooking element, means for heating the same, and means for automatically collecting the cooked material and transferril'ig-the same to the drying chamber. I

12. In combination, a cooking element con-iprisinga perforateddrum arranged substantially horizontally, means for feeding material into said drum, means forv simultaneously agitating said material within the drum and moving it forward therein, a stationary steam supply pipe extending along 12( and within said drum and having outlets through which steam can-issue in a downward direction upon the material passing through said .drum, and means for collecting liquid passing through the 'ierforations 1 in said drum.

'13. In comb nation, a cooking element comprising aperfora-tcd drum arranged substantially horizontally, means for feeding material into said drum, means for simulta comsrisin'g concentricall neously agitating said material within the drum and moving it forward therein, a stationary steam supply pipe extending along and within said drum and having outlet-s through which steam can issue in a downward direction upon the material passing through sand drum, and a drum or casing surround.-

the perforated and unperforated drums.

15.. In combination, a cooking element arranged perforate and unperforated rums, a steam supply pipe within the perforated inner-drum,

means for agitating material within and feeding it through the inner perforated drum, and a surrounding chamber into which the material, after being cooked, is

discharged and causedto travel in a direction opposite to the direction followed in its passage through the cooking element.

16. In combination, a cooking element comsrising concentrically arranged perforate and unperforated drums mounted to rotate tog ether, a steam supplylpipe within: the perforated inner drum and a surround-- ing rotary chamber into which the material, after being cooked is discharged and caused to travel in a direction opposite to the direction followed in its passage through the cooking element.

17. In combination, a cooking element comprising concentrically arranged perforated and unperforated drums mounted to rotate together and a steam supply pipe within the perforated inner drum, and a drymg chamber surrounding said cooking element and mounted" to rotate therewith,

- means for heating the chamber, and means for automatically collecting the cooked madrying chamber surroundin teria'l from the cooking element and transferring it to the drying chamber.

' 18. In combination, a cooking element, a such element, means for revolving the cooking element and drying chamber in unison and means within the drying chamber for agitating material introduced therein.

19. In combination, a cooking element, com rising concentrically arranged perforate rotate 1n unison, a cylindrical drying chamber surrounding and connected to said drums, and and supports to which the drums and drying chamber are connected by substantially fluid tight joints.

20. In combination, a cooking element, comprisingconcentrically arranged perfoand unperforated drums mounted to rated and unperforated drums mounted to Y rotate in unison, a cylindrical drying chamber surrounding and connected to said drums, an end support for the drums and drying chamber having a material inlet adjacent to the outlet of the cooking element, an end support having a materlal outlet, means for connecting the drums and drying chamber to such supports in a substantially fluid tight manner, and means for receiving material from the cooking element and transferring it to the drying chamber.

21. In combination, a cooking element, a fixed abutment, a-cylmder for receiving the cooked material, a follower in such cylinder adapted to be displaced by the entering material, means for moving the cylinder successively in front of and past the fixed abutment, and means for advancing the follower to a limited extent to press the material a ainst the fixed abutment and to further a vance and eject the material after the cylinder .passes the fixed abutment."

22. In combination, a cooking element, a fixed abutment, a cylinder forreceiving the cooked material, means for moving said cylinder in a direction at ri ht angles to its axis, said cylinder being 'tted with a follower adapted to be displaced in one direction by the entering material, means for advancing 'said follower in the opposite direction to a limited extent to press the material against the fixed abutment after a artial movement of the cylinder, and for urther advancing said follower to eject the material after a further partial movement of the cylinder.

23. combination, a cooking element, a drying chamber surrounding such element and having an inlet in its end adjacent to the outlet of the cooking element, a movable cylinder-carrying frame and a set of cylinders therein, each cylinder being provided with a follower, a fixed abutment, said inlet \anda abutment being both in the path of movement of the cylinders, means for intermittently moving the cylinder carrying frame and successively bringing an empty cylinder to the outlet of.the cooking element,

a' full cylinder from such outlet to the fixed abutment to enable the material therein to be compressed,'and a cylinder in which the materia-l has been pressed to the inlet of the dr ing chamber, and means for moving the fo lower in each cylinder in a direction to compress the material in the cylinder and eject it therefrom.

24. In combination, a cooking element, a drying chamber surrounding such element, and having an inlet thereto, a fixed abutment, a revolving cylinder carrying frame having its axis eccentric to' the axis of the cooking element, cylinders mounted in said carrying frame, and having the axes coinciding with the apices of an equilateral triangle successively assing the center of the cooking element, f0 lowers in said cylinders, said drying chamber inlet and fixed abutment being both in the path of the axesof the cylinders, power operated means for intermlttently rotating such frame and cylinders, and means for simultaneously compressing material in a filled c linder against the xed abutment and for e ectin the pre- 10 viously pressed material from another cylinder into the drying chamber while the remaining cylinder 1s being filled from the cooking element.

Signed at 27 Poultry in the city'of London, England this sixteenth day of October 15 

